David Ball, Episcopal Diocese of Albany's 7th bishop, dies

David Ball, Episcopal Diocese of Albany's 7th bishop, dies

Cathedral of All Saints is the seat of the Episcopal bishop of Albany.

Photographer: Cathedral of All Saints Facebook page

Bishop David Ball, who shepherded the Episcopal Diocese of Albany for more than a decade, died Tuesday afternoon at age 90.

Ball was the seventh bishop of Albany, serving in the role from 1984 to 1998. He died peacefully, Episcopal Bishop William H. Love said Tuesday in an email to parishioners.

“Bishop Ball faithfully served our Lord and His Church here in the Diocese of Albany for over 60 years,” Love wrote. “He was dearly loved and will be greatly missed.”

Funeral arrangements are still being made and will be announced at a later time, said Love, who is the diocese's ninth bishop.

A native of Menands, Ball was ordained as an Episcopal priest in 1953 and served as dean of the cathedral from 1960 to 1984 before becoming bishop. He stepped down at 72, the mandatory retirement age, and was still serving as bishop-in-residence.

He had been staying at Loudonville Assisted Living Residence.

“May Bishop Ball's soul and the souls of all the faithful departed through the mercy of God rest in peace,” Love said.